CYCNUS (Trojan son of Poseidon)

With Proclia, he fathered Tennes, whom some accounts identify as the son of Apollo instead, and Hemithea.^7,5,8,9,10 Tragically, Cycnus believed false accusations made by Philonome against his son Tennes.^10,5 In a fit of misplaced anger, he placed Tennes in a chest and threw it into the sea.^7,11

After learning the truth, Cycnus killed a flute-player by stoning him to death in his remorse.¹¹ Cycnus confessed his ignorance and asked for pardon for his mistake toward his son, revealing a capacity for remorse.¹² In another tale, Cycnus put in at an island and fastened his ship's cables to a rock or tree.¹² His son cut the cables adrift with an axe in a passion, leading to a conflict.¹²

He killed the Thracian named Lycus in a duel for which a prize was offered.¹³ He engaged in a single combat with Heracles, and was killed by him near the river Peneius.^13,14 Other accounts state that Achilles killed Cycnus during the same conflict.^15,3 During the conflict at Ilium, Cycnus was present when the Greeks attempted to land.³

Later myths describe Cycnus living in the place called Amphanae, and they also tell of him killing his own guests.¹⁶ Some say he was raised in Leucophrys by a swan, and he arrived at the river Sybaris after his transformation.¹⁵ Ares transformed him into a bird, and he was confined together with a crane at the river Sybaris.¹⁵